The Guadalajara Open Akron presented by Santander 2026 takes place at the Centro Panamericano de Tenis in Zapopan, Guadalajara, Mexico from Saturday 12 September through Friday 18 September. The WTA 500 event is one of Mexico’s premier women’s tennis tournaments and a post-US Open hard-court fixture that attracts a field of established top-30 players and emerging contenders.
Tournament dates and schedule
The 2026 Guadalajara Open Akron runs from Saturday 12 September to Friday 18 September at the Centro Panamericano de Tenis. The tournament features 28 singles players and 16 doubles teams competing on outdoor hard courts. Qualifying rounds precede the main draw for players outside the direct acceptance list.
Venue: Centro Panamericano de Tenis, Zapopan
The Centro Panamericano de Tenis in Zapopan, a municipality within the greater Guadalajara metropolitan area, is a purpose-built tennis complex that hosts the tournament on a well-regarded hard-court surface. The centre court accommodates 7,500 spectators, with an additional grandstand providing 2,500 seats, creating a total capacity that generates a strong atmosphere for quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals.
Guadalajara is Mexico’s second-largest city and a major cultural and commercial centre with a growing sports culture. The tournament has established itself as one of the most significant women’s tennis events in Mexico alongside the Monterrey Open, giving the country two WTA 500 fixtures on the calendar.
WTA 500 level
The Guadalajara Open Akron operates at the WTA 500 tier, awarding 500 ranking points to the singles champion and proportional points through the draw. Since shifting from a WTA 1000 event (its inaugural 2022 and 2023 editions) to the WTA 500 tier from 2024, the tournament has maintained its prestige while adjusting the draw size to the 500-level standard of 28 singles players. The WTA 500 level sits between the WTA 250 events and the premier WTA 1000 series.
Post-US Open position
The Guadalajara Open Akron’s September calendar position makes it a first post-US Open event for players returning from Flushing Meadows. After the intensity and physical demands of a Grand Slam, players make individual decisions about whether to compete in Guadalajara based on fitness, ranking targets and schedule management. For players whose US Open ended in early rounds and who have preserved physical freshness, the tournament offers a valuable opportunity to accumulate ranking points at an important stage of the season.
Tournament history
The Guadalajara Open Akron was established in 2022 as a WTA 1000 event, one of a wave of new high-level tournaments created as part of the WTA’s expanded calendar. Akron, the Mexican tyre and rubber manufacturer, serves as the naming rights partner, with Santander providing the presentation sponsorship. The tournament transitioned to the WTA 500 tier in 2024, and the 2026 edition is the fifth staging of the event. Past editions have produced champions from the higher ranks of the world tour and delivered competitive semi-final and final rounds.
How to watch
WTA Tour matches in the United States are broadcast on Tennis Channel and its streaming platform. In the United Kingdom, Sky Sports carries WTA coverage. Eurosport and Discovery+ cover WTA events across Europe. WTA TV offers live international streaming for subscribers outside primary broadcast regions. Confirmed broadcast details for the 2026 Guadalajara Open Akron are published by the WTA at wtatennis.com closer to the tournament start.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Guadalajara Open Akron 2026? 12-18 September 2026 at Centro Panamericano de Tenis, Zapopan, Guadalajara, Mexico.
What WTA level is the Guadalajara Open Akron? WTA 500. The singles winner receives 500 ranking points.
What is the capacity of the venue? The Centro Panamericano de Tenis has a centre court capacity of approximately 7,500, with grandstand seating for a further 2,500 fans.
How can I watch the Guadalajara Open Akron 2026? Tennis Channel in the US; Sky Sports in the UK; Eurosport/Discovery+ in Europe; WTA TV for international streaming.
Who sponsors the Guadalajara Open Akron? Akron holds the naming rights and Santander is the presentation sponsor.